This is another special release from Pete Johnson and Tatuaje cigars. The first Noella Reserva was released in 2006 . . . this is the 2009 version. I have yet to enjoy the original release, but if it’s anything like this little firecracker, it will be quite the treat!

As I understand the blend, it is the same as the standard Noella. However, the wrapper is a specially selected ligero that has been aged longer than the regular version. I have seen mixed numbers concerning the production of this release, but it appears that somewhere around 5,000 were produced.

Appearance : The wrapper is a very dark, almost black in appearance, and is very toothy, with a couple of prominent veins. The overall appearance is rather rough looking, but this is consistent with a Tatuaje-made cigar.

Construction : The draw and burn of this cigar were perfect, but the ash fell off any time an appreciable amount collected. This didn’t detract from the smoke, but it was a little annoying.

Flavor : Rich! That’s how I would describe the flavor of this cigar. The initial pulls leave a creamy, peppery spice for your palate to enjoy. Quite quickly, the stick takes on a satisfying earthy taste with a vanilla undertone. About halfway, there were full, dark chocolate flavors accompanied by a slight spice. The flavor of this cigar reminded me of a cross between the rich earthiness of a Partagas and the cocoa/chocolate undertones of a fine Padron. Outstanding!

Value : At $8 a stick, this is a good buy. Yes, it is a little pricey for a corona, but some of that is attributable to it being a special release.

Overall Rating : This cigar is a dynamite little stick full of flavor. I highly recommend it to someone looking for a full-bodied smoke with just the right amount of spice. Of course, I am a big fan of Tatuaje cigars in general, but this one is special in-and-of-itself. I have heard it referred to as a flavor bomb and I agree wholeheartedly with that assessment.

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7 Comments on “Tatuaje Noella Reserva 2009”

Might be a bit too much spice for me, dunno. I have only had a Tatuaje Petite and the Ambos Mundos so far from Pete Johnson, so I do not have a lot to compare it to. I might have to pick up a few Tats and see how they go.

This is one of the best cigars out there. My favorite is the Padron 64 Exclusivo but this is a little more affordable (!), extremely enjoyable and very dependable with a great burn, easy draw and flawless construction. A very consistent, high quality smoke. I usually find them in my cigar shop in the robusto but I would love to get a toro size if they’re available